New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-07-10
THE TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE SUN.
ASTRONOMERS GETTING READY FOR IT.

THE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
AND RUSSIAN OBSERVERS.
lPRoM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE.
VICTORIA. British Columbia, June 2..-The total
eclipse OF the August Is will be remarkable
account OF the length of the land line raversed by the
shadow OF the In fact IL will be many be-
fore another eclipse will occur the path OF which will
be so continuously upon the land and so little upon the
ocean. The shadow OF the will strike the earth
first at Berlin, early In the morning 1t will pass east
wardy from this point and traversng the entire width
Of Russia and Siberia reach the of Japan little
South OF Vladivostock Trending enthusiastically the
shadow track will pass Hondo, the main island Of
Japan in line running from Niigata, upon the
coast to Mto The observers upon the streets of Toxic
will be favored with sight of the eclipse little south
OF the line OF toality The giant shadow win rise and
disappear from the surface of the earth at point
nearly 900 miles OF Japan in the Pacific Ocean.
The total phase of the eclipse is not long astrono
mers would wish. The longest total eclipse which has
been observed during the present century occupied
period OF nearly six minutes. This India,
twenty years ago. The total phase of the present
eclipse will last about four minutes at Lake Baika, tho
most favorable point. with the at ma mum alt-
tude while at most OF the observing stations at either
end OF the line the length of the total phase vii, occupy
from three and quarter 20 three and half minutes
The National Academy OF Sciences. the official scien
tc adviser OF the United States Government acting in
conjunction with the Nautical Almanac Office, OF which
Professor Simon Newcomb. of the United Navy, is
the superintendent has appropriated sum for the
pose OF enabling observations Of the eclipse to be
Quoted by an American party in Japan. The grant for
this purpose derived by the Academy from the cndow
ment known the Bache Fund, the nucleus OF which
was received by Request from the late Alexander
Dallas Bache OF the founders of the academy, and
formerly Superintendent OF the United States Coast
Survey The American eclipse expedition Is under the
charge OF Professor David p Todd, Director OF the
Amherst College Observatory, who is accompanied by
his accomplished wife, At the invitation of Professor
Todd. the Rev. W. J. Holland. Phi d., OF Pittsburg,
Penn. forms OF the party and will devote himself
TO botanical and geological study In connection with the
expedition. BY direction OF the Secretary Of the Navy
Rear Admiral Chandler. in command Of the Asiatic
Squadron. United States Navy will detail party Of OIL
from the station TO assist in making obser
vatons. Tho party will also be reinforced by number
Of photographers whose services will be secured in
Japan inasmuch the work OF the expedition will DO
largely Photographic. This party Is tho only foreign
expedition which has decided upon observations near
the eastern end OF the limo OF toality. and location
upon the soil Of Japan The only other American party
which will observe the eclipse direction OF
Professor Charles A. Young the clknown astronomer
OF Princeton " j. who sailed few days from New
York accompanird.by Professors Brackett and McNei
also OF Princeton. and number OF ladies' This party
will operate with Dr. otto Won strive, the celebrated
director OF Imperial Observatory at Pultowa and
will seek location probably In the neghborhood OF
Moscow.
The soil Of Russia and western Siberia is destined to
invaded by horde OF astronomical observers from
ali parts of Europe. The Russians themselves will
occupy number OF stations along the path OF the total
phase, aud the Imperial Government has placed Its
telegraph lines the disposal of these observers and
has Instructed Dr. tako all possible steps TO
insure Of their efforts The English Govern
ment will send expedition under official auspices
the astronomers OF that nation Will he well repre-
scented I'm the persons OF DR.. Ralph Copeland astrOno-
mer Earl Of Crawford and Bacarrcs and tho Rev
Father r T. Perry :. j.. OF StOnyhurst College. Both
OF these gentlemen are guests OF Dr. Bredicl director
OF the Observatory nj Moscow All along the line from
Moscow TO Tobolsk. a number OF German, Italian and
French telescopes will be directed with parallel axes TO-
ward the sun The fact Ia worthy OF note that the Inc
of this eclipse follows throughout almost It's entire
course line of the Russian land telegraph and To
Professor Todd. the japanese American Expedition,
the credit OF having suggested that this line be
employed for the purpose Of verifying discoveries
which may TO lie made by observers in the pro-
gress OF observations the commencement OF tho
total phase at its end The shaOw OF the moon
passing the surface OF the earth
occics a definite OF absolute time, that the
eclipse nearly hours later In Japan than IN
Russia and thus abundant opportunity Will be given
for transmission OF message. provided arrange
DE made leave tho telegraph lines open for
this pcrpOse 49,
Professor Todd OF the Japanese American expedition
left Boston the 9th inst. In company with his wife,
and was Joined az Winnipeg by Or. Holland who had
come M from Ptshurg, via Chicago. The Canadian
Pacific Railroad chosen the route 10 DO traversed
by the party only account OF the natural beauties
by this latest or the sisterbood
OF trnnscontinenta railways but because by means or
the new line running In connection win inc
railway from Vancouver Asatlc ports IL Il possnle
TO reduce the time occupied in transPaclhc travel inc
steamer Abyssinia upon the deck Of which your CORE
spoudent is sitting made first passage from loko-
hama TO Vancouver fourteen days and ourte en- hours